DIY health tests are ‘a waste of money’

Cut-price genetic health tests that identify risk factors for more than 50 diseases and conditions are a waste of money for most people and potentially dangerous, scientists have warned. The tests have been banned in the US over accuracy concerns but are sold in Britain with minimal regulation. The Silicon Valley company behind the service argues that the tests provide customers with valuable information that has saved lives.

Regardless of the scientific merits, there are serious insurance implications. Under a temporary agreement between the government and industry, insurers cannot ask customers to disclose the results of predictive genetic tests, except for Huntington’s disease, where someone is buying life cover above £500,000. However, insurers refuse to rule out asking customers to disclose other results, including those…

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